At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults in recovery from drugs and alcohol through tailored interventions.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a values-driven social enterprise making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, enhanced family support, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse team culture with a commitment to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Empower individuals to transform their lives and build a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse services and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and resilient Outreach Recovery Worker to join our team, supporting adults aged 18+ who are experiencing issues with drugs and/or alcohol. Working within an integrated healthcare framework, you will deliver high-quality, person-centred psychosocial interventions that empower individuals to reduce harm, build resilience and achieve sustainable recovery.
You will work with people at varying stages of their recovery journey, delivering both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches tailored to each individual's needs and goals. As an Outreach Recovery Worker, you will manage a diverse caseload, undertaking comprehensive assessments, developing SMART recovery care plans, completing risk assessments, and delivering structured one-to-one and group interventions. You will provide practical advice, guidance and education around harm reduction, supporting individuals to make informed choices and improve their health and wellbeing.
A key part of the role is working collaboratively with a range of partner agencies, including housing providers, healthcare services, mental health teams, employment services, probation, criminal justice partners and community organisations. Through effective partnership working, you will ensure continuity of care and help individuals overcome barriers to recovery. You will contribute to achieving service outcomes and contractual targets, maintaining accurate records and ensuring all interventions are delivered in line with safeguarding, governance and quality standards.
This is a flexible role and may include occasional evening and weekend working. You may also be required to travel to other services within the local cluster to ensure continuity of care and meet the needs of the people we support.
You are passionate about supporting people to make positive changes in their lives and believe in a strengths-based, recovery-focused approach. You are able to build trusting relationships quickly, communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, and remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
You will bring experience of working within substance misuse or related health and social care services, alongside a strong understanding of recovery, harm reduction and safeguarding. You will be confident managing a caseload, carrying out comprehensive assessments, developing SMART care plans and delivering structured psychosocial interventions.
We're looking for someone who has:
- Experience working within substance misuse services or a closely related field.
- Knowledge of opioid substitution treatment (OST), harm reduction principles and the wider Recovery Agenda.
- Experience completing comprehensive assessments, risk management plans and person-centred SMART care plans.
- Experience delivering structured one-to-one interventions and facilitating therapeutic group sessions.
- Confidence using motivational interviewing techniques to support behaviour change.
- A good understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and risk management.
- Knowledge of the challenges faced by people experiencing drug and alcohol dependency and the ability to respond with empathy and professionalism.
- Experience working collaboratively with partner agencies to provide holistic, integrated support.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring services are accessible and responsive to individual needs.
- Strong organisational, communication and IT skills, with the ability to maintain accurate case records and outcome data.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel across local services when required.
If you are committed to making a genuine difference in people's lives and want to be part of a supportive, values-driven organisation that believes recovery is possible for everyone, we would love to hear from you.
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Support for Families
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with Lived Experience of addiction, offending, or homelessness. Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around 3 years). This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
To find out more about Forwards commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy, please contact us.
Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the Eligibility to Work in the UK requirements.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.
Outreach Recovery Worker - Swale - Sittingbourne employer: The Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful employment. Located in Medway and Gravesham, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, offering flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training, and professional development opportunities. Join us to lead a passionate team, make a real difference in the community, and enjoy generous benefits including annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and wellbeing days.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Recovery Worker - Swale - Sittingbourne
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at The Forward Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from The Forward Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like The Forward Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at The Forward Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Outreach Recovery Worker - Swale - Sittingbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to The Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Forward Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Forward Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
